Alberta has grow to be the seventh province to signal an settlement in precept with Ottawa on well being care funding.
The federal authorities mentioned in a information launch Monday that greater than $24 billion might be invested in Alberta’s well being care system over the following 10 years.
This contains $2.9 billion for a brand new bilateral settlement targeted on shared well being priorities and $233 million in an instantaneous, one-time complement to the Canada Well being Switch to deal with pressing wants, together with help for pediatric hospitals and emergency rooms. in addition to addressing lengthy ready instances for operations.
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The settlement additionally goals to enhance entry to household well being companies, together with in rural and distant areas and in underserved communities. Different objectives embrace fostering a resilient and supported well being workforce, bettering psychological well being care and dependancy companies and entry to Albertans’ personal digital well being data.
Alberta joins the 4 Atlantic provinces, Ontario and Manitoba in becoming a member of the well being care settlement.
The agreements in precept are a primary step towards finishing the $196-billion, 10-year well being care funding proposal that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made on Feb. 7.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith mentioned in a written assertion the settlement would help her authorities’s efforts to enhance well being care.
“We’re main the nation in well being care reform and are targeted on making certain Albertans can entry world-class care when and the place they want it,” she mentioned.
“It is a productive first step and I sit up for continued discussions with the Authorities of Canada on how we will obtain sustainable long-term funding.”
Smith, Alberta Well being Minister Jason Copping and Alberta Well being Companies Administrator John Cowell have been scheduled to replace the media later Monday on their plan to enhance the province’s well being care system.
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